Drone exam · Air safety

During a tree line inspection, the drone is still visible as a small dot, but the pilot can no longer tell which way it is facing or whether it is drifting toward a road. What should the pilot do, and why is the aircraft being visible as a dot not enough?

Answer

The pilot should bring the drone closer, reposition, or land before orientation is lost. The aircraft must be visible well enough for the pilot to judge direction, attitude, movement, and nearby hazards.

Explanation

Visual line of sight supports control decisions, not just visual contact. If the pilot cannot tell where the drone is going or what hazards are near it, the safety margin is already too small. Turning back early prevents a loss of orientation event.